Johan Andersson, designer from Stockholm, release a unique series of products with designs of his friend and mentor - the design icon Olle Eksell. At the same time launched olleeksell.se, where all who love good design and advertising history can improve themselves in one of its greatest innovators. In addition to the shop with specially designed trays, bags and art prints with Olle’s design, it is a loving tribute to the man behind the now classic Mazetti-eyes “Over the years we knew each other, we talked often about developing a product line under his name,” said Johan Andersson, who run the project from concept to reality. “But Olle Eksell always went his own way and refused to do a sellout, so this is a tasteful collection of selected products in his honor, developed with the family Eksell. But the products are just a small part of olleeksell.se. As much time has been devoted to providing information about Olle and his ideas and ideals. This web page has been built up in both Swedish and English. Here are pictures, movies, lyrics and much more. Even a documentary where Ruthel Eksell talks about his and Olle’s exciting life. “The focus is to continue to spread the mission of Olle Eksell and his beliefs,” explains Johan Andersson. “For me, meeting with Olle was a life-changing experience, and although I wish more people having to share his ideas about good design and economy, it’s more than anything, a tribute to a friend.”

Johan Andersson, the creator of these pieces, was 22 years old when he moved to Stockholm to study advertising at the Bergh’s School of Communication. In a move that would be soon prove to be a life-changing experience, Johan looked up his “great hero” Olle Eksell’s number in the telephone directory, and then called him up the same day. Eksell was gracious enough to invite the young student home, and over coffee and cake, they talked about advertising, design and life.

Johan says that Eksell became his mentor, friend and biggest inspiration, both professionally and as a human being. They both remained close friends, until Eksell’s passing away in 2007.

Good design is not just aesthetic - it’s also good economics. Good design is not just fun - it’s deadly serious. “Olle Eksell

FACTS Olle Eksell (1918-2007)

OLLE EKSELL - DESIGN = EKONOMI

ÖGON CACAO - 1956 Olle Eksell was a creator ahead of his time when he produced Sweden´s first corporate design identity for Mazetti featuring the famous eyes. DESIGN = ECONOMY Olle Eksell was not only the designer who could write very well, he was also a great visionary as shown in his book, Design = Ekonomi (1964), where he clearly defined how design and economy go hand in hand. Good design is not just aesthetic – it is also good economy. Good design is not just fun – it is bloody serious. HONOURS PROFESSOR Olle Eksell took part in international exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Louvre in Paris, The Venice Biennale, and more. Olle was a member of the world jury for typography - the International Centre for Typographic Arts in New York. In his native Sweden, he was voted into the advertising world´s Platina Academy in 1985 and in 2001 Olle was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor by the Swedish government.

FACTS JOHAN ANDERSSON

Johan Andersson, designer and producer of the collection of selected products in Olle Eksells name, together with the family Eksell. John Anderson, 34, moved to Stockholm in 2001 from Vänersborg to study advertising at Bergh’s School of Communication. In connection with the move, he went to Olle Eksell and began a friendship with Olle Eksell and Ruthel Eksell that would change his life. Olle became John’s mentor, friend and biggest inspiration, both professionally and as a person. They were close friends, until Olle Eksells death 2007th Johan driver design and advertising agency Cake Industry, which is behind the successful collection of Olle Eksell with the family Eksell.